Veteran judoka from across Western Australia came together from 30 October to 1 November for the 2026 WA Veterans Weekend, enjoying three days of technical development, randori and opportunities to reconnect with fellow members of the judo community.
Organised by Judo WA, the weekend featured four training sessions across three Perth venues, bringing together judoka aged 30 and over for a program combining ne-waza (groundwork), tachi-waza (standing techniques) and practical training opportunities.
A highlight of this year's program was a special masterclass with Japanese Junior World Champion Aki Kuroda, delivered alongside participants from the 2026 WA Futures Camp, providing a unique opportunity for judoka of different generations to train and learn together.
Friday – Opening Session at Perth Judo Club
The weekend commenced on Friday evening at Perth Judo Club in Balcatta, where participants gathered for the opening session under the instruction of experienced WA coach Peter Middleton.
The session featured a combination of ne-waza and tachi-waza technical training and randori, providing an opportunity for participants to refine their skills and enjoy time on the tatami alongside fellow veteran judoka.
For many, the Veterans Weekend offers more than simply additional training. It provides an opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces, share experiences and continue enjoying judo in a welcoming environment that brings together members from different clubs and backgrounds.
The opening session set the tone for the weekend, with participants enjoying a mixture of technical development and practical training.
Saturday – World-Class Instruction and Club-Based Randori
Saturday's program began at Ern Halliday Recreation Camp in Hillarys, where veteran judoka joined participants from the 2026 WA Futures Camp for a special masterclass delivered by Aki Kuroda.
Aki, Japan's 2022 Junior World Champion in the women's -78kg division, shared her expertise in two of her signature techniques: her ne-waza turnover and uchi-mata.
The session provided participants with an opportunity to learn directly from an accomplished international competitor, exploring the technical details and principles behind techniques she has successfully applied at world championship level.
Bringing together participants from the Futures Camp and Veterans Weekend also created a valuable intergenerational learning environment, allowing younger and more experienced judoka to share the tatami and benefit from the same high-quality technical instruction.
In the afternoon, the Veterans Weekend continued at UWA Judo Club in Claremont, where experienced coach Luc Tournier led a session focused on practical application and randori.
The group began with ne-waza randori and nage-komi (repeated throwing practice), before progressing to tachi-waza randori alongside participants from a concurrent UWA Judo Club training session.
The combined training provided further opportunities for participants to work with different partners, exchange knowledge and enjoy the collaborative atmosphere that makes veteran judo such a valuable part of the wider sporting community.
Sunday – Final Session and Closing the Weekend
The weekend's program concluded on Sunday morning with a final ne-waza session at Ern Halliday Recreation Camp.
With groundwork a major component of the weekend's training, the final session offered another opportunity for participants to focus on their ne-waza skills and bring the three-day program to a close.
Across the weekend, the combination of technical instruction, nage-komi and randori provided a varied training experience, catering to veteran judoka seeking to maintain their skills, continue learning and remain actively involved in the sport.
Supporting Lifelong Participation in Judo
The WA Veterans Weekend forms part of Judo WA's broader commitment to providing opportunities for lifelong participation in judo.
While competitive opportunities remain an important component of the sport, events such as the Veterans Weekend demonstrate that judo offers much more than competition alone.
By bringing together judoka aged 30 and over in a supportive training environment, the weekend encourages continued physical activity, technical development and social connection, while providing opportunities for participants to engage with the wider judo community beyond their regular club sessions.
This year's collaboration with the WA Futures Camp was a particularly valuable addition, creating an opportunity for veteran judoka and emerging athletes to share in a world-class technical session and highlighting the connections that can be formed across generations through judo.
Judo WA extends its sincere thanks to Peter Middleton, Luc Tournier and Aki Kuroda for sharing their knowledge and expertise throughout the weekend.
We also thank Perth Judo Club and UWA Judo Club for supporting the event, along with all participants who contributed to another enjoyable weekend of veteran judo.
We look forward to continuing to provide opportunities for Western Australia's veteran judo community to train, connect and develop in the years ahead.
